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70 countries by now. Former university lecturer and diving instructor, motorcycle courier in London and journalist in Kazakhstan, barman and writer, professional photographer and web-designer, speleologist and paragliding pilot. My life is a never-ending adventure.

This is a PADI’s foundational course which provides the necessary knowledge and
skills to dive with a buddy, independent of supervision.

CONFINED WATER DIVES

When teaching in confined water, I usually create a fun and exciting experience that keeps motivation and enthusiasm high. Here you will begin to developing your confidence as well as your competence. Open Water Diver course skills are sequenced from simple to more complex. We will simulate open water diving as much as possible throughout confined water
sessions.

Sequencing

Before Confined Water Dive 1, you will have to complete Knowledge Development Session 1, and follow with Knowledge Development Session 1. For Confined Water Dives 2 – 5, knowledge development may either precede or follow the confined water dives, although before is recommended. There are several dive flexible skills that are not assigned to a confined water dive:

Complete the 10-minute swim/float without using any swim aids prior to Open
Water Dive 2.

Correctly assemble and disassemble the scuba unit three or more times before the end
of Confined Water Dive 3.

Demonstrate the proper post-dive care of scuba equipment before the end of
Confined Water Dive 3.

Correctly assemble and disassemble the scuba unit five or more times before the end
of Confined Water Dive 5.

Complete the emergency weight drop during any dive, in either confined or open
water.

PADI Scuba Diver students must disconnect a low pressure inflator hose and remove
and replace the weight system before the end of Confined Water Dive 3.

PADI Scuba Diver students must complete the snorkel to regulator exchange, cramp
release, inflatable signal tube/DSMB deployment and emergency weight drop before
the end of Open Water Dive 2.

First I will introduce and demonstrate skills, then you will practice until you are comfortable and meet performance equirements.

Confined Water Dive 1

Equipment preparation and mask defogging

Entry, put on gear and weights

Predive safety check – guided

BCD inflation/deflation on surface

Introduction to breathing underwater

Regulator clear – exhalation and purge

Regulator recovery

Clear partially flooded mask

Alternate air source use

Descent and equalization

Underwater swimming

Hand signals

SPG use and air monitoring

Fun and skill practice

Ascent and positive buoyancy

Oral BCD inflation at surface

Surface swimming and good surface habits

Emergency weight drop (dive flexible)

Exit

Equipment disassembly and care

Confined Water Dive 2

Dive planning and air management reminder

Assemble and put on gear

Predive safety check

Deep water entry

Weight check

Snorkel breathing and clearing

Snorkel/regulator exchange

Snorkel swimming with buddy

Disconnect inflator hose (dive flexible)

Loose cylinder band (dive flexible)

Five point descent

Neutral buoyancy

Clear fully flooded mask

Remove, replace and clear mask

No mask breathing

Air depletion exercise

Air management within 20 bar/300 psi

Fun and skill practice

Five point ascent

Exit

Equipment disassembly and care

Confined Water Dive 3

Assemble, put on gear and predive safety check

Deep water entry

Weight check and adjustment

Weight system removal and replacement at surface (dive flexible)

Cramp release

Descent with visual reference

Hovering

Trim and weight positioning

Air depletion/alternate air source use (donor/receiver) swim and ascent

Controlled emergency swimming ascent

Air management within 20 bar/300 psi

Fun and skill practice

Five point ascent

Exit

Equipment disassembly and care

Confined Water Dive 4

Assemble, put on gear and predive safety check

Entry

Weight and trim check

Tired-diver tow

Scuba kit removal and replacement at surface

Descent – stop before contacting bottom

Underwater swim over sensitive bottom

Hover – oral BCD inflation

Freeflow regulator breathing

No mask swim

Air management within 20 bar/300 psi

Fun and skill practice

Ascent without contacting bottom

Skin diving skills (dive flexible)

Exit

Equipment disassembly and care

Confined Water Dive 5

Assemble, put on gear and predive safety check

Entry

Scuba kit removal and replacement – underwater

Weight system removal and replacment – underwater

Minidive

Exit

Equipment disassembly and care

OPEN WATER DIVES

Open water dives introduce you to the open water environment and allow youy to
combine and apply what you learn in the knowledge development sections and the confined
water dives. Although you’ve already practiced the skills you’ll perform, the presence of new
variables and conditions makes the open water dives the most important aspect of
the course.

Sequencing

You will have to master all performance requirements for one open water dive before
going to the next. Before Open Water Dive 1, you will have to complete at list Knowledge Development Session 1 and Confined Water Dive 1. Before Open Water Dive 2, you will have to complete Knowledge Development Sections 1-3, Confined Water Dives 1-3 and the 10-minute swim/float without using any swim aids. Before Open Water Dives 3 and 4, you will have to complete all Knowledge Development and all Confined Water Dives. Before certification, you will have to complete a 200 metre continuous surface swim or
a 300 metre swim with mask, fins and snorkel, and Final Exam.

We will also go through dive flexible skills during any Open Water Dive except Underwater Compass Navigation and the Controlled Emergency Swimming Ascent which are predefined in the schedule.

Open Water Dive 1

Briefing and hand signal review

Predive acclimation

Assemble and put on gear

Predive safety check

Entry – positively buoyant

Check and adjust weighting

Snorkel-to-regulator exchange (dive flexible)

Controlled descent

Trim check

Clear partially flooded mask

Regulator recovery and clear

Explore the dive site

Air monitoring

Ascent

Emergency weight drop (dive flexible)v

Exit

Equipment disassembly and care

Debriefing and log dive

Open Water Dive 2

Dive planning and briefing

Assemble and put on gear

Predive safety check

Entry and good surface habits

Weight and trim check

BCD oral inflation at surface

Cramp release (dive flexible)

Tired diver tow (dive flexible)

Controlled descent

Neutral buoyancy

Clear fully flooded mask

Alternate air source use (donor/receiver) and ascent

Explore the dive site – avoid bottom contact and stay close to buddy

Air management within 20 bar/300 psi and signal air remaining

Five point ascent – safety stop, if feasible

Inflatable signal tube deployment (dive flexible)

Exit

Equipment disassembly and care

Debriefing and log dive

Open Water Dive 3

Dive planning and briefing

Assemble and put on gear

Predive safety check

Entry and good surface habits

Weight and trim check

Weight system and scuba kit removal and replacement at surface (dive flexible)

Straight line surface swim with compass (dive flexible)

Descent with visual reference

Hovering – oral BCD inflation

Mask removal and replacement

Underwater compass navigation (dive flexible)

Controlled emergency swimming ascent (dive flexible)

Explore the dive site – avoid bottom contact and stay close to buddy

Air management within 20 bar/300 psi and signal air remaining

Five point ascent – safety stop, if feasible

Exit

Equipment disassembly and care

Debriefing and log dive

Open Water Dive 4

Plan dive using Dive Planning Slate

Assemble and put on gear

Predive safety check

Entry and good surface habits

Weight and trim check

Free descent without reference

Explore the dive site as buddy team – avoid bottom contact and stay close to buddy